7 teens seriously injured after car tumbles 180 feet off Highway 39

Editor’s note: The age range of the teenagers involved in the crash were incorrectly listed in the original version of this story. We apologize for the error.

WEBER COUNTY — Seven teens from the Ogden area were hospitalized after their car tumbled off a curve on S.R. Highway 39 and landed 180 feet down in a ravine early Thursday morning.

Just after midnight Thursday, June 14, a Honda Accord driven by a 16-year-old went off the road at mile marker 42 on Highway 39 near Monte Cristo and rolled down the mountainside until it became suspended in a tree, according to Weber County Sheriff’s Lt. Matt Jensen.

Seven teenagers between the ages of 14-17 were in the vehicle at the time of the crash. Investigators determined that two of the teenagers were riding in the trunk of the car, Jensen said, and only four were wearing seat belts.

One of the teens had to crawl up from the crash to the road to get cell service and call 911, he said.

Story continues below image.

Four medical helicopters responded to the scene and four of the teens were transported to local hospitals, with two eventually being transferred to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. The others were taken to the hospital via ambulance.

One of the teens is in “extremely critical condition,” Jensen said, while the injuries to the other six range from serious to critical condition. At least one of the teens was ejected from the vehicle.

Investigators determined that the car was going upwards of 70 mph when the crash occurred. The speed limit on Highway 39 is 40 mph in that area, Jensen said.

“That stretch of road has many curves and we advise motorists to use the speed limit,” Jensen said. “This particular event was unfortunate and our thoughts go out to the families and victims for a speedy recovery.”

Reach digital producer Jessica Kokesh at 801-625-4229 or jkokesh@standard.net. You can also follow her on Twitter at @JessicaKokesh or Facebook.com/ByJessKokesh.